Tidal Basin

Your Guide

The Tidal Basin, a designed water area of a little more than 100 acres, is the lovely setting for the world famous Japanese cherry trees and a number of memorials. The Basin is visually dominated by the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, its reflection, and the reflections of the Washington Monument. The informal character and beauty of the Tidal Basin make it a centerpiece of the capital.

Aerial View

The informal character of the Tidal Basin contrasts with the formal symmetry of the primary east west axis of the National Mall (U.S. Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial). The Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the White House, which form the north-south axis, provide a narrower and somewhat asymmetrical vista with both the Washington Monument and a mulberry tree to one side.

Image: National Park Service

Pedal Boats

Pedal boats are a popular tourist attraction.

Image: American Society of Landscape Architects

National Cherry Blossom Festival

West Potomac Park is the site of the annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, which attracts around a million visitors. The park is home to more than twelve varieties of cherry trees. Walks are insufficiently wide for daily foot traffic now as well as festival crowds. To protect trees and other plantings, the NPS has been locating most festival facilities to a parking lot closed for the duration of the festival.

Image: National Park Service

Beautiful in All Seasons

Tidal Basin's flowering cherry trees in autumn.

Image: National Park Service

Outlet Bridge

The Tidal Basin is engineered to release 250 million gallons of water captured at high tide twice daily. This is accomplished through a series of inlet and outlet gates, trapping and releasing tidal flows in order to flush sediment out of Washington Channel. Tidal water currently overtops the walls and walks frequently so the National Park Service has redirected pedestrians away from these lower areas.

Image: American Society of Landscape Architects

Inlet Bridge

Tidal Basin Inlet Bridge lock structure.

Image: National Park Service

The Tulip Library

The Tulip Library, on the northeast side of the Tidal Basin, is replaced in the summary with annual flower library.

Image: National Park Service

The Japanese Pagoda

The Japanese Pagoda was a gift from the Mayor of Yokohama in 1957.

Image: American Society of Landscape Architects

The Japanese Lantern

The Japanese Lantern on the north side of the Tidal Basin is lighted during the annual festival.